Natural factors or environmental neglect? Understanding the dilemma of a water crisis in a scenario of water plenty

• Published in: Land use policy 2019-03, Vol.82, p.509-517
• Main Authors: Batista Mattos, Jonatas, Brito Silva, Kaique, da Silva, Roberto José, Mota Almeida, Thiara Helena, Sibilla Soares Póvoas, Hogana, da Silva, Paulo Vagner Ribeiro, de Araújo Góes, Ingrid Matos, da Silva Matos, Irlanda
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Climatology; Crises; Degradation; Dry season; Ecosystem services; Ecosystems; ENSO; Environmental management; Environmental restoration; Humid tropical climate; Land use; Land use management; Natural environment; Northeastern Brazil; Payments for environmental services; Policies; Preservation; Production; Rainfall; Rainforests; Resource management; Restoration; Seasonal variations; Security; Urban areas; Water crises; Water management; Water resources; Water resources management; Water security; Water shortages; Water supply; Watersheds
• ISSN: 0264-8377; 1873-5754
• DOI: 10.1016/j.landusepol.2018.12.027

•A Brazilian medium-size city with high rainfall rates experienced a water crisis.•Environmental neglect for land use have increased the effects of the water crisis.•The main watershed is deforested and with reduced water production capacity.•A dam in the deforested watershed was thought as a solution for water scarcity.•For water security in the city one must invest in watershed conservation policies. The objective of this study was to discuss how natural factors associated with poor land use policy and ineffective water resources management triggered a severe water crisis in a region with water plenty. The idea developed throughout the text is the result of a water shortage experience in a Brazilian medium-size city, related to recurrent climatological events, indicating the need for national and international water management agencies to elaborate policies, guidelines and mechanisms that take environmental seasonality into account. The study area (Itabuna city) is located within a rainforest biogeographic context, with high rainfall rates and perennial fluvial regimes. Nevertheless, in a period of climatic oscillation (2015-2016), the region experienced a water shortage because it relied on what it neglects. Through GIS and geoprocessing, we estimate the levels of degradation of two neighboring watersheds to illustrate the problem discussed here. The discourse adopted by the urban managers pointed out that the natural factors caused the water crisis. However, one of the watersheds that supply water to urban areas did not meet demand during the dry season, the other is degraded and with reduced ability to deliver ecosystem services. Due to the water crisis, an old proposal of implementing a dam in the watershed with highest level of degradation was resumed and implanted. The method chosen to solve the issue of water shortage, although valid, isn’t enough, in addition to demanding large engineering interventions in the natural environment, it does not guarantee water security without an effective land use policy for watersheds. Therefore, as a complement to the dam, we suggest watershed restoration and preservation policies that can effectively regulate water production and promote resilient and sustainable water security should be implemented.